Joseph Howard Liles

Joseph”JoJo” Howard Liles of Atlanta, GA was born in Langdale, Alabama on January 5,1946 to Dr. Joseph H.Liles and Doris Hunter Liles.  He died November 27, 2022 at Buckhead Health and Nursing Center.  He lived in Opelika all his younger life.  He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Liles, his older brother, C.Stokes Liles, sister-in-law Billie Lou Liles, and his niece, Michael Paige Hopson.  He is survived by his sisters, Paige Hopson of Atlanta, Wicky Poarch and his brother-in-law, Thomas Poarch of Franklin,TN, and a number of nieces, and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was in the class of 1964 of Opelika High School. He attended Southern Union College and Auburn University where, in his senior year, he developed a strong wanderlust and took off with his brother-in-law's brother, Ernie Poarch, and they traveled across the country, washing dishes and seeing the sights. When they came back home, Ernie finished college, and Jojo took off again. He traveled extensively around the country entertaining and playing gigs in Hilton Head and Chicago, where he would catch a train to Denver, Beaver Creek, and Vail, entertaining in the train’s club car for tips. He arrived in Vail and entertained at the Clocktower Inn in the early 70s before the streets were paved. He was a regular feature there through the the early 90s.

He finally came back south and opened his own club, “JoJo's", at the corner of Roswell Road and Piedmont.  He played in Houcks Underground Atlanta with Banks and Shane on his 50th birthday, and entertained many famous people, but his family was his most favorite group to entertain.  We could never get enough of him. He was the funniest human alive, and with his brother, Stokes, the laughter and good times were the best.  Even the week before he died, he still had his wit and said funny things to make us laugh . We all have an empty space in our hearts.  He leaves many friends and loved ones to remember him.

There will be no funeral service but there will be a private memorial at a later time.  Leaf Cremation handled final arrangements for our loved one.